Women of Promise

  Oh, magnify the  LORD   with me, and let us exalt his name together ! Psalm 34:3   I remember a fun little vacation my sisters and I spent with my aunt and uncle one summer on Tim's Ford Lake. My uncle would take us out to the far ends of the lake in his pontoon boat and we would jump out into the lake and swim. We had a blast swimming in the shadows of that big boat. It's overarching presence gave us comfort and we never once were concerned about how to get home -- because my sisters and I certainly had no clue where we were. However we had complete faith in my uncle, the captain of his ship, and that big boat's glorious presence was what we looked to for reassurance. We were in awe of that boat, and the times we were able to go out in it were major highlights of that trip.    That little illustration came to mind as I was meditating on some truths about servant leadership that God led me to recently. As we learn to serve God and each other, what is it t...

  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.   Romans 1:20 Not long ago, I came across a short  devotional based on the protein called laminin.  This protein is a binding protein that is essential to life -- basically it holds every molecule of our bodies together.  It also "happens" to be shaped like a cross and has a construction of three strands that are wound together to form its shape. How fascinating is that? Could this have just "happened"? Extremely unlikely. Furthermore, Scripture tells us that the creation points us to the Creator. We are right to seek out these proofs of God's omnipotence and marvel. I love to find the gospel displayed in nature!  I did have to take issue with the devotional on its application.  Maybe it was a technicality, but we must be super aware of anything...

            One weight-loss method that has gained a lot of attention is "intermittent fasting."  Some medical professionals are saying that when done on a regular basis this practice has significant health benefits.     Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about feasting and fasting? Did you know that these practices are spiritual in context? The very first sin involved food. Revelation talks about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in chapter 19. In between these two events the law prescribes times of feasting and of restraint. We are given examples from Moses, Elijah, Ezra, Esther, David, Daniel, Anna, Jesus and Paul who fasted for specific times of prayer.      Often we talk about times of fasting from things (social media or sugar, for example). Anything that is done for the purpose of bringing our focus more fully on God's Word is beneficial. It is also good to note that fasting is not a prescribed thing in Scri...

       This is the week leading up to the Sunday known as "Easter Sunday."  In both Latin and Greek, this is Pascha, or "Resurrection Sunday."  Since at least the second century, A.D., (but most likely even earlier) Christians have observed this celebration of Jesus' resurrection.  What a gripping and powerful event this was! Because of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, we have eternal life! This event proved that Jesus is the Messiah -- the promised Savior!      As we celebrate this glorious event, we often recall the detailed events leading up to that glorious event when the stone is rolled away and tomb is found empty.  I have been challenged this season to look at not only what  the Resurrection is, but who  the Resurrection is.  You see, Jesus says in John 11:25:  I am the Resurrection and the life .  He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.      The Resurrection is...

  Shakespeare wrote "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  I am not quite convinced (like Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables) that a rose would smell quite as beautiful if it were called a thistle or a skunkcabbage. 😆     When we name our children, we often think long and hard about what this child will be called for the rest of their lives.  Perhaps it is a beloved relative's name, or the name of a special person or place.  Often we research the meanings and choose one that reflects a positive image or message.  Maybe we just like the way the name sounds when combined with a middle or last name.       Depending on who you read, there are somewhere between 200 to 350 (possibly more) different names for Jesus in the Bible!  What we must understand is in the Hebrew culture of Biblical times, names were much more than just a title.  Names conveyed a description of who or what that person was.  For example, ...

      Do you ever struggle to know what to pray?  I do. God hears our heart. We can pour out our feelings to Him. Praise God for His Spirit who takes our feeble words and thoughts and brings them to the Father. However, there are many times when words fail to come. What do I pray when I don't have a clue what God's will for this situation or person may entail?     Something that I have been challenged to learn lately is to pray Scripture.  What a blessing this is!  First, this requires me to be reading His Word. I must be familiar with Scripture. Time spent in God's Word is always a blessing. I learn of my Savior as I am searching.     Next, I have great confidence that my heart and spirit are aligned with His will when I am praying the Words of God. So much of the Bible is the records of the prayers and heart-cries of Christ, or types of Christ. He is our model in all things, including prayer.    How does this work? ...

I am resharing this post from several months ago. I needed to revisit this truth myself and pray it blesses you as much as it did me.     I read something this week that I do not recall hearing in this way before.  It shook me to the core and I was amazed at the all encompassing presence and glory of God in a brand new way.  After researching it some and confirming that the information was accurate and not merely a "feel good" inspirational segment, I have been meditating on the truths shared whenever I had some moments to reflect.  It has brought me to tears of joy and adoration.  It has caused me to weep over the lack of knowledge I have of who our God is and exactly how much He is concerned with the fact that we are made in His image.       First, I would like to share the short piece writing that rocked my world this week: There was a moment when Moses had the nerve to ask God what his name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and ...